I’m Richard McNally, Professor of Psychology, and This is How I Work

I conduct and supervise research on anxiety disorders, broadly defined (e.g., social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder), network analytic approaches to psychopathology, and exercise and mood regulation, among other topics. I teach undergraduate and graduate courses, and my administrative duties include serving as Director of Clinical Training in our clinical science Ph.D. program.

Location: Cambridge, MassachusettsCurrent Gig: Professor and Director of Clinical Training, Department of Psychology, Harvard UniversityOne word/phrase that describes your work style: EfficientCurrent computer/mobile device: I do most of my writing at home on a Dell desktop PC unconnected to the Internet. For everything else, I use a MacBook Air laptop (e.g., email, teaching, talks).

What apps/tools/software can you not live without?

None, other than statistical and word processing software.

What’s your best time-saving shortcut or life hack?

Avoid distractions (e.g., television, Twitter, Facebook, etc.).

What’s your workspace set up like?

It’s an uncluttered room with a small desk, chair, and desktop PC.

How do you keep track of things you need to do (any to-do-list apps)?

I use a spiral notebook whereby each page contains my weekly to-do list.

Besides your phone or computer, what gadget can’t you live without, and why?

None.

What do you listen to while you work?

I rarely listen to anything when I write.

What are you currently reading?

Robert H. Frank’s The Darwin Economy: Liberty, Competition, and the Common Good and Maajid Nawaz’s Radical: My Journey Out of Islamist Extremism.

How do you recharge?

I have a gym in my garage where I lift weights three days per week, and use a Nordic Track ski machine to do high-intensity cardiovascular interval conditioning on three (non-lifting) days per week. I work out in the morning, and write before and then again after doing so.

What’s your sleep routine like?

I’m a lark, not a night owl. I wake up at 5:30 and retire between 9:30 and 10:30 at night.